Attractions of Europe

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Top 10 Munich, Germany Tourist Attractions

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marienplatz

1: St. Mary’s Square (Marienplatz Square)

Historically this square held festivities, tournaments, and was the site of the city’s marketplace. Today it remains the city’s center, but for different reasons. Marienplatz is an excellent place to see fantastic German architecture in the form of the Old and New Town Halls. The Fischbrunnen Fountain and the Column of St. Mary are also big draws for visitors.

Website: www.gogermany.about.com

 

2: Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche)

The twin towers of the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady) has been the major attraction to visit in the Bavarian city of Munich. The city center requires that buildings be built no taller than 99 meters, which happens to be the height of the two towers of the Frauenkirche, that now dominate the city center’s skyline. Its foundation was laid in 1468 and today the cathedral serves as the seat for the Archbishop and the Archdiocese of Munich.

Website: www.aviewoncities.com

3: English Garden (Englischer Garten)

The Englischer Garten is Europe’s largest city park, stretching from the city center to the northeast city limits. The park boasts a Chinese pagoda, a Greek temple named Monopteros, and a Japanese teahouse. Sunbathing is a popular pastime for locals, although Kleinhesseloher lake and the beer gardens are also great alternatives if you’re in need of a cool down.

Website: www.muenchen.de

4: Residenz Palace (Wittelsbach Residence)

From 1508 to 1918 the Munich Residenz was the former royal palace for the Bavarian Dukes, electors and kings. Today its magnificent architecture, its extensive room decorations and the displays of the former royal collections are open to the public. There are over 130 rooms and 10 courtyards for visitors to explore!

Website: www.residenz-muenchen.de

5: Royal Brewery (Hofbraeuhaus)

The Hofbraeuhaus was once a royal brewery in the Bavarian Kingdom. Nowadays it’s known for some of its popular beers including Maibock, Oktoberfest and Dunkel. The brewery also holds one of the largest tents at the country’s famous Oktoberfest celebrations.

Website: www.hofbraeuhaus.de

 

6: Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg)

The palace’s construction began in 1664 and since that time has been expanded and changed over the years. What we see today is a Baroque style palace, which was where Bavarian rulers once resided during the summers. The grounds and park are now open, displaying some of the rooms with their original Baroque interiors and decorations.

Website: www.schloss-nymphenburg.de

7: Deutsches Museum (German Museum)

This is the largest museum in Munich. It holds over 28,000 objects in scientific and technological exhibits. The main site of the museum can be found on a small, beautiful island in the Isar River. Some of the notable current exhibits include Astronomy, Masterpieces, Hydraulic Engineering, and Mineral Oil and Natural Gas.

Website: www.deutsches-museum.de

8: BMW Headquarters and Museum

The 101 meter tall BMW Headquarters is such an icon in Munich that in 1999 was declared a protected historic building. The museum next door is what brings in the hundreds of thousands of yearly visitors. It displays the development of cars and motorcycles and also has exhibits detailing the history of the company.

Website: www.bmw-welt.com/en/

9: Food Market (Viktualienmarkt)

What was once a food market that locals used to purchase goods needed for daily life is now still a food market, but so much more. Along with selling poultry, cheese, spices, fish, vegetables and juices, it has also garnered a reputation for gourmet items. Now if you visit the market you’ll see exotic fruits, lovely flowers, game, plants, venison, and honey as well. If you’re lucky you’ll catch one of the many traditional or folkloric events that the market often hosts.

Website: www.muenchen.de

10: Pinakothek Museums

Each of the three museums in this complex offers a look into a different period in art. The Neue features 19th German art and an excellent collection of French impressionists. The Alte specializes in masterpieces, over 800 of them, from the Middle Ages. The Pinakothek der Moderne is Germany’s largest museum of modern art, including greats among the likes of Picasso, Warhol and Kandinsky.

Website: www.gogermany.about.com

Top 10 Berlin, Germany Tourist Attractions

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1: Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

This is the main entrance to the city, which was surrounded by the wall for thirty long years. Today, visitors flock to this landmark to experience for themselves the first gateway to the city. While you are here, enjoy the freedom walk and take a look at magnificent works of art that surround the gate.
Website: www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de

2: Reichstag Building (Reichstagsgebäude)

This historical edifice was constructed to house the Imperial Diet in 1984. In October 1990, after undergoing reconstruction, it once again became the meeting place for the German parliament. While you are here, check out the large glass dome at the to of the Reichstag for a fantastic 360-degree view of the city. You may also enjoy a fine meal with your loved ones at the rooftop restaurant. Registration to tour the building should be booked in advance.

Website: www.berlin.de

3: Berlin Wall (Berliner Mauer)

Learn about Berlin’s fascinating history by exploring the Berlin Wall Memorial. The site contains the last piece of the Berlin Wall and visitors will get to enjoy guided tours of the open-air exhibition, the Chapel of Reconciliation, as well as the Ghost Stations Exhibition.

Website: www.berliner-mauer-gedenkstaette.de

4: Checkpoint Charlie

This historical landmark stands as a reminder of the best-known border crossing during the time of the Cold War. Today it is one of Berlin’s primary tourist attractions. Make sure to check out the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie Museum where you will discover the best documentation of several well-known escape attempts from the East to the West. Here you will also learn about how the checkpoint was expanded, as well as its significance during the Cold War. You can even have your photographs taken with actors dressed as allied military policemen for free.

Website: www.berlin.de

5: Museum Island (Museumsinsel)

Located on the northern tip of Spree Island, this magnificent work of art involves five extraordinary museums gathered in a one-of-a-kind ensemble. The Pergamon museum has about one million visitors each year and holds exquisite permanent exhibits. The Bode-Museum houses Byzantine Art and Numismatic collections. The Neues Museum features an amazing showpiece of the bust of Nefertiti. The Alte Nationalgalerie features works of Classicism, Romanticism, Impressionism and early Modernism. Lastly, the Altes Museum’s permanent exhibition presents Greek and Roman art sculptures. The Museum Island is the best place to visit for art and culture enthusiasts all over the world.

Website: www.visitberlin.de

6: Holocaust Memorial (Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe)

Serving as a central place to commemorate the people of the Holocaust, tourists flock to the memorial every year. Make sure to visit the underground information center where you will learn about the victims and the different places of horror. You can also view the historical film, photo documentation and interviews with the survivors to gain a deeper understanding of what exactly happened during the Holocaust.

Website: www.stiftung-denkmal.de

7: Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg)

A must-visit when you are in Berlin, Charlottenburg Palace is the largest and most beautiful palace in the city. Built as a summer residence for Sophie Charlotte, the first queen of Prussia, the palace contains interiors with different architectural styles ranging from gorgeous baroque rooms to more modern and contemporary styles. Make sure to visit the famous palace gardens with its world-renowned collections of KPM porcelain.

Website: www.aviewoncities.com

8: Potsdamer Platz

This is one of the most hip and happening places in the capital city of Germany. Enjoy several hours of fun and entertainment at the Superlative Cinema, treat your family to a lovely fine dining experience at some of their fantastic restaurants, or go shopping at the Paradise in Berlin-Mitte.

Website: www.potsdamerplatz.de/en

9: Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm Berlin)

While in Berlin, there is no better way to see the city at a glance than on the Berlin TV Tower. The tower is 207 meters high and while you are on the top, you will get to see a breathtakingly beautiful 360-degree view of the city. The TV Tower attracts about 1.2 million tourists each year so this is definitely an attraction that you should not miss.

Website: www.tv-turm.de

10: Unter den Linden

Berlin’s most elegant boulevard was originally a bridle path that led from the city palace all the way to Charlottenburg Palace. Along Unter den Linden, tourists can explore wonderful attractions like the Humboldt University, the State Opera, the Neue Wache memorial as well as the Zeughaus Armoury.

Website: www.visitberlin.de

Top 10 Frankfurt, Germany Tourist Attractions

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Frankfurt, or Frankfurt am Main, is the largest city within Hesse, one of the German states. In the entire country, it is the fifth largest and this fact combined with its rich history means that there are plenty of things to do while there. Many people consider Frankfurt to be the most international of all German cities, providing attractions from all cultures. Many of the things to do, however, focus on enjoying the rich history and culture of the city itself. Following is our pick of the top 10 best places to visit in Frankfurt.

romerberg

1: The Römerberg

The Römerberg literally translates to “Roman Mountain” and this is the name given to the historic center of Frankfurt. This is one particular square within the Old Town (Altstadt) and most visitors choose to stop here first when visiting the city. There are occasional fairs held in the square which attract visitors from near and far, including the Frankfurt Book Fair. The Ostzeile, or eastern area of the square, features gorgeous reconstructions of houses from the 15th and 16th century. The Fountain of Justice is also within the Römerberg.

Website: www.frankfurt.de

goethehaus

2: Goethe House & Museum (Goethehaus)

As one of the most famous German writers, people around the world have heard of Johann Wolfgang Goethe. He was born in the building now known as Goethehaus on August 28, 1749 at exactly noon. You can visit the house and take a tour which covers every floor in order. There is also an exhibition inside the home that details the history of the residents and the house itself.

Website: www.goethehaus-frankfurt.de

opera_house

3: The Old Opera House (Alte Oper)

The Alte Oper, or Old Opera House in English, was officially inaugurated October 20, 1880 following construction that took seven years. It was damaged severely during WWII, but reconstructed before reopening in 1981 to serve as a concert hall. The interior is modern, while the exterior retains its original look. Originally, the building was 34 meters tall and housed the Imperial Staircase and a large auditorium with room for over 2,000. It is in this opera house that many famous works premiered, such as Carmina Burana by Carl Orff.

Website: www.alteoper.de

stadel

4: Städel Museum

This art museum’s official name is Städelsches Kunstinstitut und Städtische Galerie and it holds a collection that ranks among the most important in the country. The museum opened in 1815 to be a civic foundation thanks to Johann Friedrich Städel and it is considered the oldest museum foundation in Germany. The Städel Museum houses 700 years’ worth of European art, ranging from the 14th century onward. The collection includes over 100,000 prints and drawings, 4,000 photographs, 600 sculptures, and 3,000 paintings.

Website: www.staedelmuseum.de

Un Musee a Francfort - 051

5: Senckenberg Natural History Museum (Naturmuseum Senckenberg)

The Senckenberg Museum holds the title of being one of Germany’s biggest Natural History Museums. It shows evolution of various organisms, recent biodiversity, and how the planet has changed throughout millions of years. The museum includes recent scientific findings in all major areas, including geology, paleontology, and biology. Some highlights include the anaconda, an original triceratops skulls, and Lucy, the oldest complete skeleton. The Senckenberg Museum is open daily, with some limited hours on specific holidays and they are part of the Frankfurt-Pass which gives you discounted entry.

Website: www.senckenberg.de

main_tower

6: Main Tower

The Main Tower is the biggest eye-catching element in the Frankfurt skyline and is the financial center for Germany. Despite its financial offices, banks, and other related items, there are also gorgeous views, delicious restaurants, and cultural highlights. You can enter the building for a few Euros and this allows you to take advantage of its gorgeous views of the entire city. There is also a souvenir shop and restaurant. You can even host special events in Main Tower if you plan ahead.

Website: www.maintower.de

cathedral

7: Frankfurt Cathedral (Frankfurter Dom)

The Frankfurt Cathedral, or Frankfurter Dom in German, is officially called the Kaiserdom Sankt Bartholomäus, indicating its dedication to Saint Bartholomew, although it is also considered an Imperial Cathedral. This Roman Catholic Church is in the Gothic style and right in the center of the city. This was the site where kings were elected starting in 1356 with ten monarch having their coronation on site from 1562 to 1792. The current Frankfurt Cathedral is the fifth in its location, with others being built in 680, 852, 1239 (which was expanded in 1260 and 1415), and shortly after the fire in 1867. In addition to the cathedral itself, you can also visit the medieval cloister and museum.

Website: www.dom-frankfurt.de

palmengarten

8: Palm Garden (Palmengarten)

The Palm Garden was founded in 1868 and the largest botanical garden of its type within Germany. It was financed privately by Heinrich Siesmayer, an architect and it opened to the public in 1871. You can easily find your way around the garden as exhibits are arranged by origin. There are subtropical and tropical plants and you will find areas in climate-controlled greenhouses as well as the open air. The motto of the Palmengarten is “Plants, Life, Culture” as you can find all three within the garden. The permanent botanicals are supplemented by regular concerts and music performances, so check the schedule when you are in Frankfurt.

Website: www.frankfurt.de

paulskirche

9: St. Paul’s Church (Paulskirche)

This church was consecrated in 1833, making it the key Evangelical Lutheran church within the city center. At the time, the central red sandstone building was the most modern and largest hall in the city, which is why the first completely German Parliament met here. This is where the National Assembly produced Germany’s first democratic constitution. In 1913, it became a memorial site and was completely destroyed in 1944 during the World War. Reconstruction began after the war with consecration taking place May 18, 1948. Renovations between 1988 and 1991 created the building you can see today. You will also find occasional special exhibits on site.

Website: www.frankfurt.de

zeil

10: Zeil – Shopping

If you want to go shopping while in Frankfurt, then your best choice is to head to Zeil, the most popular area of the city for shopping. This is the home of many major department store chains in addition to specialty shops. While walking along the Zeil, stop at the Zeilgalerie and visit the viewing platform on the top. It will give you a view of the skyscrapers as well as the rest of the city plus the Taunus Mountains. There is a pedestrian zone outside as well as cafes, restaurants, and snack bars. There is also a farmer’s market on Thursdays and Saturdays that is worth a visit.

Website: www.frankfurt-tourismus.de